Rohit Sharma has always being a talented batsman but now he has taken his game to another level. Rohit has now converted that potential into match winning performances. The Mumbai batsman showcased his talents in the 2007 World T20 and IPL 1 and he hasn't looked back since. He has improved vastly since his debut a few years ago and he now looks like an international quality batsman. Rohit has been in and out of the national team for the last few years but it now seems that he is settled at number 5 in the ODI team.

Rohit is one of the few young Indian batsmen that can play the pull shot well. When he has gone back to play domestic cricket, he has improved his technique and has matured as a batsman. He has tightened up outside off stump and more importantly he has improved his temperament. Rohit used to play shots that weren't needed and he would try to smash the ball out the ground but now he waits for the bad ball instead of premeditating and getting caught in the deep.

The talented youngster could have already made his Test debut if he did not get injured on the morning of the Test against South Africa. Rohit is competing with Virat Kohli for a place in the Indian Test team but he is unlikely to replace him at the moment as Kohli has starred for India over the last year albeit in ODI cricket. Over the last year, Rohit has lived up to his high expectations with some very class knocks against West Indies which has led to him cementing his place in the ODI team.

Sharma averages 63 in first-class cricket and it is only a matter of time before he plays Test cricket. India will never replace Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman but there is no doubt that Kohli, Rohit and Rahane have bright futures ahead of them.

Rohit has always been my favourite India player and i'm pleased that he has made the step up to international level.

It will be tough to drop Kohli for the 1st Test but i think it will benefit India more. Kohli and Rohit will both get their chances next year as i'm pretty sure that one of the big 3, probably VVS, will retire which will free up a place in the middle order.

Cheteshwar Pujara is also waiting in the wings. He is also very good.Hopefully Sachin and Dravid will play till the end of 2012, thus easing in 2 out of these 4 into test cricket, guiding them and making sure our batting remains world class.

I think Dravid or Laxman or both are the ones most likely to retire after the Australian series, especially if they win, as with the exception of the series against Pakistan and England they have a relatively easy year, its possible the Selcetors will use the lesser series to look at new blood which may also force the hand of Dravid and Laxman if they do well, just like Marsh is putting pressure on Ponting.

'To Beer or Not to Beer, that is the Question, whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The hangover and pains of outrageous lager'

rohit has always looked good technically as a batsmen, it will interesting to see if he has the mntal strength to cope with test cricket when he gets the chance, which he should because his first class record is immaculate and he has shown maturity in recent innings in odis

backfootpunch wrote:rohit has always looked good technically as a batsmen, it will interesting to see if he has the mntal strength to cope with test cricket when he gets the chance, which he should because his first class record is immaculate and he has shown maturity in recent innings in odis

Agreed

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"If Australia avoid playing big teams at Chennai and Delhi, we have a great chance to win the World T20. Only missing trophy from the cabinet" Shanky Dundee, on twitter.

sportbloggeradi wrote:Going out soon for a drinks party tonight with Rohit Sharma's coach.

How do you know him?

E. No. 7, I have played street cricket with his coach for lots of years and later club cricket for few years at a club . He was a senior in the club at the time he got me into club cricket. His coach had intense cricket sessions with me both at street and club cricket. We used to get the best out of each other during those sessions with fierce competition.

Now-a-days we don't play cricket together, but he continues to progress in his career which is cricket. It is always insightful cricketing discussions with him when we party a couple of times a month, sometimes two of us or sometimes with our other clubmates.

He has bowled to lots of Indian international and touring International specialist batsmen. Doing that he has picked their wickets as well.

Mumbai Indians needed 11 off the last 3 balls to win, Rohit Sharma smashed 14 off the 3 balls (6 2 6) including a last ball 6 that went into the stands to clinch victory for MI! He survived a ferocious spell from Dale Steyn and went on to make 73* from 50 balls with 5 sixes...that's why he's one of my favourite players.